What anonymous Big Ten coaches had to say about Michigan Football
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Athlon Sports recently asked Big Ten coaches to talk anonymously about their conference counterparts.
Here is what they said about the Wolverines:
Impact newcomers?
“I love that roster. The second that (ex-Michigan head coach) Sherrone Moore was gone, they actually got to run that roster. There are four or five players in that freshman class who’ll contribute immediately, and they had a bunch of freshmen last year who contributed.”
Among those true freshmen who contributed last year are wide receiver Andrew Marsh, who led the team in receptions (45), receiving yards (651) and receiving touchdowns (4), and should continue to build chemistry with quarterback and classmate Bryce Underwood.
Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng should have a legitimate chance of starting at off-ball linebacker, Nate Marshall showed flashes on the defensive line and Shamari Earls was leaned upon in the secondary at times.
The redshirt sophomores are also a tantalizing bunch. Between running back Jordan Marshall and a likely trio of starting offensive linemen — LT Blake Frazier, C Jake Guarnera and RT Andrew Sprague — this offense could be set for multiple breakout campaigns.
An explosive passing game?
“On offense, you’re gonna have Bryce (Underwood), Andrew Marsh and Jaime Ffrench and JJ Buchanan out of the portal. There’s a lot of excitement for what that team can be this year.”
Underwood is far from the lone determiner of how the first season under head coach Kyle Whittingham will go in Ann Arbor. But a sophomore leap would certainly go a long way. The young rookie showed glimpses with his arm and athleticism last fall. However, a 60.3% completion percentage and an 11-9 TD: INT ratio is not going to cut it for a program with its eyes set on bigger prizes than a Cheez-It Citrus Bowl runner-up.
The aforementioned Marsh is locked in at X. The once highly touted prospect, Ffrench, clearly has some skills and transfer JJ Buchanan should be the big-bodied, reliable outlet every passer loves.
The running game and trench play should be fierce as always. Underwood’s connection with these targets will largely decide the quality of the offense.
The target year?
“The 2027 season was the target because they really liked that 2025 class, so the thought was to build it for that third year and focus on retaining those guys while bringing in younger players.
The program has continued to recruit well with guys like RB Savion Hiter, OT Andrew Babalola, CB Jamarion Vincent and WR Salesi Moa joining what should be a veteran-heavy defense and a young, gelling offensive unit.
How quickly can these Utah transfers mesh with the returners? There is no shortage of talent on the roster and the hope is that the John Henry Daleys and Smith Snowdens of the world can help pave the way for the young bucks.
A title in year one of the Whittingham era?
“I think they can win the conference. It’s not a group with a lot of household names, but there’s a lot of depth with really good players.”
Even with significant NFL departures for Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon, they should all be stellar squads again. USC is not an easy out, Penn State should be much improved, and as always, there are plenty of physical, lingering Big Ten brutes in the middle of the pack.
Expecting to win the Big Ten in year one of the Whittingham era is quite the standard, and perhaps not one with which fans should become overly infatuated. Even with all of the drama last fall, Michigan won nine games.
Whittingham is the adult in the room that the Wolverines desperately needed. However, an 11-win regular season still feels a bit out of reach for now.
How do you feel about these assessments? Are coaches blowing smoke, or is there real belief that this could be a fun fall in Ann Arbor? Let us know your thoughts down below.
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